Conservation areas are designated if we consider that their particular character is valuable and should be preserved. There are 48 conservation areas in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area.

Where development is proposed in a conservation area, whether it is alterations to an existing building or development of new buildings, it should be in keeping with the special character of that area. There are specific policies in the Local Plans relating to development in conservation areas.

If your property is in a conservation area, the kind of minor work that you can carry out without planning permission is also more limited than elsewhere. Further advice on permitted development in conservation areas is available on the planning portal or you can use our pre-application advice service or view our map.

How we assess conservation areas

Character studies help us to understand the historic nature and importance of the area. They are helpful if an appraisal hasn’t been carried out, but they don’t fully reflect best practice guidance and latest policy, which may have changed since the study was completed.

Conservation area appraisals are more in depth than character studies and identify the key features that make the area significant. When preparing conservation area appraisals, we will also produce management plans. These set out the way in which development pressure and neglect will be managed to ensure conservation areas retain the qualities that led to their designation.

We are working towards producing appraisals and management plans for all of the conservation areas in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area.

The conservation areas are listed below:

Conservation areas

Name of area (year designated)	Documents available
Ashington, Poole (2002)	Map Appraisal
Ashley Cross, Poole (1987, amended June 2012)	Map Appraisal and management plan
Avon Buildings, Christchurch (1991)	Map
Boscombe Manor, Bournemouth (1993)	Map and summary
Boscombe Spa, Bournemouth (1994)	Map and summary
Bramble Lane, Christchurch (1982)	Map
Branksome Park and Chine Gardens, Poole (1981, extended November 2014)	Map Appraisal and management plan
Brunstead Road, Poole (1989, amended May 2000 and boundary amended November 2014))	Map Leaflet
Burton, Christchurch (1986)	Map Appraisal and management plan Appendix A Erratum
Canford Cliffs Village, Poole (1977, extended 2014)	Map Appraisal
Canford Magna, Poole (1977, amended December 1992)	Map Leaflet
Chester Road, Poole (2010)	Map Appraisal
Christchurch Central (1969)	Map Appraisal and management plan Appendix 1
Christchurch Hospital (1991)	Map
Churchill Gardens, Bournemouth (1993, amended December 2013)	Map Appraisal Management plan Conservation report
Dean Park, Bournemouth (1993)	Map and summary
East Cliff, Bournemouth (1987, amended January 1988)	Map and summary
Evening Hill, Poole (1992, amended November 2014)	Map
Heckford Park, Poole (2010)	Map Appraisal
Holdenhurst Village, Bournemouth (1974, amended March 2014)	Map Appraisal
Hurn, Christchurch (1991)	Map
Knole Road, Bournemouth (1993, amended April 1999)	Map Character study
Meyrick Park and Talbot Woods, Bournemouth (1988, amended July 2009)	Map Appraisal
Mudeford Quay, Christchurch (1981, amended May 2008)	Map Appraisal and management plan Appendix A
Muscliff Lane, Bournemouth (1992, amended July 1999)	Map Character study
Oakley Lane, Poole (1987, amended December 1992)	Map Leaflet
Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth (1993)	Map and summary
Poole Park (1995, amended October 1996)	Map Appraisal
Portchester Road, Bournemouth (1993)	Map Appraisal
Purewell, Christchurch (1991, amended June 1995)	Map Appraisal and management plan
Ridgeway and Broadstone Park, Poole (2004, extended December 2008)	Map Appraisal
Sandbanks, Poole (2003)	Map Appraisal and management plan
Southbourne Grove, Bournemouth (1993)	Map
Stanpit and Fisherman's Bank, Christchurch (1991, revised May 2008)	Map Appraisal and management plan Appendix A
Talbot Village, Bournemouth (1975, amended June 2016)	Map Appraisal Management plan
The Avenue, Poole (1989, amended December 1992 and May 2000, extended November 2014)	Map Appraisal
The Saints, Bournemouth (1987, amended April 1999)	Map Character study
Throop and Muccleshell Villages, Bournemouth (1975, amended July 1999)	Map and summary
Town Centre Heritage, Poole (2012)	Map Appraisal part 1 and part 2
Tudor Road and Golf Links Road, Poole (2004, extended December 2008)	Map Appraisal
Undercliff Road, Bournemouth (1990)	Map and summary
Verno Lane, Christchurch (1988)	Map
West Cliff and Poole Hill, Bournemouth (1989)	Map and summary Draft appraisal and management plan (2018)
West Overcliff Drive, Bournemouth (1987)	Map and summary
Westbourne, Bournemouth (1993)	Map and summary
Wick Village, Bournemouth (1985, amended April 1991)	Map and summary
Winkton, Christchurch (1989, boundary amended January 2007)	Map Appraisal and management plan Appendix A

,Dorset Historic Towns Project report on Christchurch

You can view this urban characterisation study for the Christchurch area (2011):

• Summary report
• Main report - pages 1-100
• Main report - pages 101-24.